Post-doctoral Scholars and Graduate Students

Mina Mozafari
B.S. Chemistry, Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Iran, 2004
M.S. Physical Chemistry, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, 2008
Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada, 2017
mozafarm@uci.edu
Fun Fact:

Jessica Kelz
Chemical and Materials Physics (ChaMP – Chemistry) Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, Mandarin Chinese Minor, US Naval Academy, 2008
jkelz@uci.edu
Fun Fact: While abroad before graduate school, Jessica spent over a year teaching children how to yodel. “If yodeling isn’t music, then I don’t know what music is” she says.

Jose Uribe
Physical Chemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, Cal State San Bernardino, 2018
jluribe@uci.edu
Fun Fact: He is a light sleeper, but probably not the way you’d think. Most nights he sleeps with his eyes open so any stray light will wake him up. He says, it’s not as bad as it sounds though because at least he doesn’t have to worry about loud neighbors.

Megan Rocha
Chemical Biology Graduate Student
B.A. Chemistry, Whitman College, 2017
rochama@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Megan has a recurring dream about burrito babies, so now she insists on naming each one of the burritos she orders. Some of her favorites are Vegeta (vegetarian), Hamilton (carnitas), and Keegan (vegan).

Marquise Crosby
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, 2019
mcrosby@uci.edu
Fun Fact: His League of Legends screen name is Cardi B. He has an app that generates sound bites of her and uses only that to communicate with teammates during the game…OKURRR?!

Gemma Takahashi
Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Geobiology, California Institute of Technology, 2019
grtakaha@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Gemma insists that the only way to cut a grilled cheese, is along the cheese.
Also pictured: Prince, the fridge formerly known as 380 to 435 nanometers.

Zane Long
Chemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Chemistry, UCI, 2018
zglong@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Zane prides himself on unique experiences and loves sharing that he drank the famous sourtoe cocktail (shot of whiskey garnished with a mummified human toe) while visiting Dawson City, Canada on vacation.
Amanda Abiad
Chemistry Graduate Student
B.S. Biochemistry, Cal State Fullerton, 2019
aabiad@uci.edu
Fun Fact: Amanda is a semi-professional cosplayer who won awards for dressing as Nyalathotep at a local event!

Collin Sroge
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Student
B.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences, Purdue, 2019
csroge@uci.edu
Fun Fact:

Matthew Jimenez
Chemistry Graduate Student
B.S.Pharmaceutical Chemistry, UC San Diego, 2021
mdjimen1@uci.edu
Fun Fact:

Jaewon Suk
Chemical Biology Graduate Student
B.S. Biochemistry, UC Santa Barbara, 2020
jaewos1@uci.edu
Fun Fact: TBD
Undergraduate Researchers

Nicholas Whitman
Major: Chemistry (2023)

Bianka Peirce
Major: Chemistry (2023)

Danah Hijaz
Major: Chemistry (2023)

Jocelin Martinez
Major: Chemistry and Public Health (2023)
Fun Fact: Jocelin has a tik tok account dedicated to high-end smoothie making

Mark Hadadian
Major: Chemistry (2023)
Fun Fact: Mark cultivates his own bonsai peach trees

Belen Lopez
Major: Chemistry (2023)

Jonathan Le
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2024)

Kaylee Grace Chiou
Major: Chemistry (2024)
Thomas Cao
Major: Chemistry (2024)
Honorary Pet Members

Neptune
Rescue from Newport Beach Animal Shelter. Loves people, food, and running. Thankful neither of his parents work with lasers…he doesn’t trust them. Follows the central dogema. Ironically hates water. @pugneptune

Timothy
Is betta testing the lab to see if it will tank. So far he feels that being in school is going swimmingly, even though he sometimes flakes. Sincerely loves water, some might even say it breathes life into him.